The local community will have its chance to express the qualities it would like to see in Barnstable’s next superintendent at a public forum Jan. 18.

School committee member Margeaux Weber, who is also a key member of the superintendent search committee, said that the meeting is open to all community members with a vested interest in the search for the successor of Supt. Dr. Patricia Grenier, who retires in August.

“We are inviting the community members, and trying to make a point that if there are students who want to attend they are welcome,” she said. “It’s for parents, students, community members, anyone who is interested.”

According to Weber, the forum will be moderated by the Center for Executive Search at the Cape Cod Collaborative, the organization that is at the helm of Barnstable’s search.

“The forum itself is…just to get input on our community focus for our candidates,” Weber said. “We want to know what the community wants to know, what their priorities are, and what qualities they think should be in a superintendent.”

The information gathered at the forum will be used when it comes time to interview candidates applying for the position.

Weber said that the forum will focus specifically on what the community would like from a future superintendent.

“Our consultants are going to be focusing the discussion on the superintendent search and the future,” she said. “We are looking for as much input from people that have an interest in the future of the schools.”

Two teacher forums will also take place in the weeks following the community forum.

“We’re just trying to get the word out,” said Weber. “We’re very anxious to hear what the community has to say.”

The Community Focus Forum will be held Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the former Osterville Elementary School, 418 Bumps River Road, Osterville.